Description
Looking for a delicious way to use up your leftover turkey? Try this Creamy Leftover Turkey Orzo recipe for a tasty meal tonight!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups leftover turkey meat, shredded or cubed
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Base Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent. Add the minced garlic, thyme, and sage, and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic brown.
- Step 2: Toast the Orzo Add the dry orzo pasta to the vegetable mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes until the orzo starts to turn lightly golden. This toasting step might seem small, but it adds significant depth to your **Creamy Leftover Turkey Orzo** by bringing out the pasta’s nutty flavors.
- Step 3: Build the Sauce Pour in 3 cups of the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for about 8-10 minutes or until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid but is still slightly firm to the bite. If the mixture seems too dry before the orzo is cooked, gradually add the remaining cup of broth as needed.
- Step 4: Create the Creamy Base Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes as the sauce begins to thicken. Now’s the time to add your leftover turkey, stirring to distribute it evenly throughout the orzo. If using frozen peas, add them now too.
- Step 5: Finish the Dish Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and freshly chopped parsley. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a silky consistency while the lemon zest brightens the entire dish. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, remembering that leftover turkey might already contain some seasoning. Let the **Creamy Leftover Turkey Orzo** stand for 2-3 minutes before serving, which allows the sauce to thicken perfectly and all the flavors to harmonize.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg